Indian Dowry Chest (Sandouk) From Gujarat - 19th Century Finish - Bone Inlay Materials: Hand-carved cedar wood

Materials: Hand-carved cedar wood

This antique tribal panel is a Gond door panel from Madhya Pradesh

and those with a gift for creating beauty

The wooden pot is spun and a lac stick is pressed against the pot

Indian Dowry Chest (Sandouk) From Gujarat - 19th Century Finish - Bone Inlay Materials: Hand-carved cedar woodThis charming antique teak chest has been made in a hut shape and is known locally as a sandouk. It dates to the 19th century and the style is from Gujarat in Northern India. Traditionally the bride's family had to offer gifts known as dowry to the bridegroom's family if they were to find a good husband for their daughter. Dowry was normally Gold, jewellery, and Silk saris but sometimes brass cooking pots and other family treasures were exchanged.